Following an invitation from local MLA, Mr. Gordon Dunne, the Education Minister, Mr O'Dowd, visited Holywood Primary School on Wednesday 14th November. Whilst seeing what goes on in HPS on a daily basis, we took the opportunity to highlight the need for new school builds in Holywood. Priory College and Holywood Nursery School have also been campaigning for new school builds for many years.
A number of our children presented Mr O'Dowd with letters pointing out the need for a new primary school in Holywood and the significant difference it would make to their learning and also many other children in the future.
Go Pyjamas! - Friday 16th November
We are having a non-uniform day for Children in Need and Tearfund on Friday. We would like everyone to wear their pyjamas to school on Friday and pay at least £1 for the two charities. Make the day as bright and colourful as possible!
Please wear appropriate underwear, coats, socks and trainers. Everyone will have outside playtime as usual and need to be warmly clothed.
Swimming classes will continue as usual so there will be fun on the way to and from Sullivan! We have heard Pudsey and Postman Pat may visit Holywood Primary on Friday too!
The School Book Fair is Returning
The Book Fairs held during the past few years have proved so popular that we will be holding one again this year from Tuesday 13th November. There will be a wide selection of books on display. Any books that sell out may be ordered and will be delivered within three days of the Fair closing. You can find a selection of the books in the Autumn selection (download here) with loads more choice at the Book Fair.
Our school benefits from all sales. Funds generated provide new novels for Key Stage 1 and 2 children and new stock for the School Library.
Parents may view the Fair in the Main Entrance Hall at the following times:
Tuesday 13th November: 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Wednesday 14th November: 11:30am - 12:15pm and 1:00pm - 3.30pm
Thursday 15th November: 11:30am - 12:15pm and 1:00pm - 3.30pm
Friday 16th November: 11:30am - 12:15pm and 1:00pm - 3.30pm
Monday 19th November: 11:30am - 12:15pm and 1:00pm - 3.30pm
We hope the children enjoy the fun of choosing and reading books. If you would like to buy online and collect your books at your school’s Book Fair click here to browse the selection. Simply add to the basket and follow the payment instructions selecting the Collect at Fair option at the check out.
NI Water H20 Droplet With Members of the Eco Club
NI water came in on Tuesday to talk to the children about conserving water and preparing our pipes for winter! Keep an eye out for the information which has been distributed and ask the children about the yellow tag sent home with P4-7 children.
Holywood Primary School on the Hill!
HPS are one of only 100 NI schools selected to take part in the Energy Management Challenge organised by Airtricity. Some of the children were invited to Parliament Buildings to be part of the Launch for the Challenge. They met our local MLA Mr Dunne and the Environment Minister, Mr Alex Atwood.
It was a very enjoyable afternoon and we look forward to taking part in the Challenge in the coming weeks.
Parent / Teacher Consultations
Childline Schools Service Programme 2012
Holywood Primary School, along with a number of schools in the North Down area, have agreed to participate in a programme delivered by Childline staff and volunteers. They will be holding an assembly in our school and then a class-based workshop approximately two weeks later.
Volunteers will talk to children in Primary 6 and 7 about keeping safe. Full details can be found in the letter we have sent home with children.
The Childline Schools Service would also very much welcome your feedback. If you would like to share your thoughts, please complete the online feedback form when your child has completed the programme.
May Day Fun
Children from Holywood Primary were selected to join primary school children from other Holywood schools to dance around Ireland’s only Maypole at 10.15am and 11am during the May Day celebrations run by North Down Borough Council. It was unusually cold and wet but the rain didn't dampen the spirits of the girls who put on a wonderful show.
Road Safety
Following a road traffic collision last week on Church Road involving one of our pupils we would ask that everyone is extremely vigilant at both entrances to the school. For those who use the Church Road entrance, please cross at the designated area with our Crossing Patrolman, Mr Widdowson. I am pleased to inform you that our puil is making a good recovery and should be back at school in the coming days. We are also regularly in contact with the PSNI, DRD and local councillors voicing our concerns about the traffic situation outside both entrances.
School Refurbishment
We are delighted to inform you that four significant projects are almost completed. These are:
- Replacement of windows in the 2-storey building
- Refurbishment of the servery in the Dining Hall
- Replacement of the boiler
- Construction of a play area at the front of the school
Everyone is very excited about the changes. There have been many positive comments from the school and wider community about the improvements and how well the school is looking. In January 2012 I submitted another Minor Works application to SEELB on behlaf of the school. I am hopeful that a number of other requests from the application will be completed during 2012-2013.
P5- P7 enjoy their 'Bike It' Brunch
PLEASE ENJOY LOOKING AT SOME GREAT PHOTOS FROM OUR DAY (even in the rain!)
P1-P4 Bike-It Brunch on 2nd February 2012
We had a great day. Please enjoy looking at some of our photographs below.
We all had a great day on Thursday 2nd February as we took part in the Bike-it Day. We all remembered to wear our helmets and some of them were very colourful. Policeman Chris talked to us about cycling safely. We all need a helmet, good brakes, a bell and lights if we go out at night. We could see the reflective strips on his jacket. He said to check our bikes now and then to make sure they were safe and working properly. Then we rode our bikes and scooters all the way round to the big playground.
Many thanks to...
- Pamela & Jackie from BikeIt
- PSNI
- The P1- P4 Teachers and Classroom Assistants
- The boys and girls in P1 - P4
- All the parents, grandparents and childminders who helped to make the day so special!
PSNI Bike Safety Talk
Primary 5-7 had a bike safety talk today conducted by a PSNI community officer.
The children learned the importance of checking their bikes before they take them on the road to check they are road worthy. They also talked about the importance of wearing a helmet and bright reflective clothing.
Bike It Brunch
Our main Bike It event for this term is going to be a BIKE IT BRUNCH. All P1- P7 children are welcome to take part. If your child has a bike or scooter in good working order they are welcome to bring it to school for the Bike It Brunch day but this is not compulsory.
It is important that all bikes and scooters are in good working order. IT IS COMPULSORY THAT YOUR CHILD WEARS A HELMET. The day will include a range of activities some of which do NOT require a bike or scooter.
P5 – P7 THURSDAY 9TH FEBRUARY
- Bike It Cycle/Scooter Skills Sessions in the playground with qualified Bike It Education Officers. The children will practice their balancing, braking and general bike/scooter handling skills through a series of fun activities.
- Cycle Safety Talk
- Bike It Poster Competition
- Road Safety Awareness Session
- Toast and Juice Brunch
Hat-Trick Heroes
At Holywood Primary School we are proud to be the first school to sign up for Hat-trick for Heroes, the children’s fundraising initiative organised by the charity Help for Heroes. Neil Somerville recently came to the school to show the children two DVD’s, one explaining the challenges they will undertake as part of the fundraising event in school. The other outlined how Help for Heroes makes such a difference by supporting Service men and women who have been injured in Iraq or Afghanistan.
The children, through their Schools Council voted unanimously for the Charity and they will be involved in helping to organise this and other events to raise money for such a worthy cause.